Thanks to Wylie McKinty for the info re Womens Cup Final and news about 1st Division will be looking forward to it. Lurgan will be favs but North Down will be cock a hoop after 2 league wins. To all involved on Sunday have a good match and safe travels to all.

Editior I'm not a bookie but like to tip up matches to have a bit of interest

Richard White

NCU Headquarters

25th Aug 2017

The NCU Minor (Lindsay) Cup Final, sponsored by Cleaver Black, postponed last Saturday takes place between Muckamore Fourths and Laurelvale Seconds, at Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, Woodvale Cricket Club, on Saturday 26th August (12 noon start). This competition is open to teams playing in Junior Leagues 4, 5 and 6 of the Northern Cricket Union.Philip Black of the cup sponsors said, ‘Cleaver Black are delighted to be involved with this cup, and wish both sides every success in the Final.’The trophy and ‘Man of the Match’ award will be presented by a Northern Cricket Union official and the sponsor at the conclusion of the game.The Road to the Minor (Lindsay) Cup FinalMuckamore Fourths, of Junior League 5, had comprehensive victories in the first two rounds of the competition, defeating Lurgan Seconds by 8 wickets and Ballymena Thirds by 9 wickets. In the Third Round Muckamore overcame Instonians Fourth's, before a tense three run victory against North Down Thirds in the semi-final.After receiving a bye in the First Round Laurelvale Seconds, of Junior League 4, progressed to the final losing only four wickets. They defeated Derriaghy Thirds by 8 wickets in the Second Round, Newforge Seconds by 10 wickets in the Third Round, and Cliftonville Seconds by 8 wickets in the semi-final.Supporters from the participating clubs, and all other cricket followers from across the Northern Cricket Union and beyond will be warmly welcomed to Woodvale Cricket Club.

Richard White

NCU Headquarters

25th Aug 2017

On the back of the Cricket Ireland (CI) Clubmark Accrediation Scheme that all sporting clubs seek to achieve around Northern Ireland, the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) have designed an Emerging Accreditation Scheme which enables cricket clubs within the NCU to have a clear plan in achieving the CI Clubmark Accreditation Scheme. The Emerging Accreditation Scheme ensures that cricket clubs create and live by the appropriate documents (such as Club Constitution, Safeguarding, Risk Assessment etc) necessary to function as a progressive cricket club.

Dundrum Cricket Club and Cooke Collegians Cricket Club are inspiring examples of clubs in the NCU who have attained the Emerging Accreditation Scheme and are now aspiring to achieve the Cricket Ireland Clubmark Accrediation Scheme.

Dundrum Cricket Club is doing great work around the South Down area promoting the game in primary schools and working alongside the NCU staff in making their club safer and more attractive to new junior and senior members. Stephen Calvert and his committee have worked hard during the spring months to complete the Emerging Accreditation Scheme. Stephen said,’The biggest challenge in completing the Emerging Accreditation was taking the first step. We formed a small sub group of three from our committee with each person taking responsibility for a number of the set criteria. We had two preparation meetings at which we reviewed our progress and then met with one of the NCU Development Staff, our very helpful nominated NCU contact, to get feedback on our application. This proved to be very useful along with the templates available from the NCU website. We kept our main committee informed throughout the process and now look forward to embarking on the Cricket Ireland Clubmark Accreditation Scheme. The plan is to work on this during the long winter months’.

Another club that have faced challenges during the past winter is Cooke Collegians, however they have reacted in a positive fashion and harbour greater ambitions to continue to improve their club. Cooke Collegians have recently moved from Shaw’s Bridge to Fullerton Park in Dunmurry. Cooke Collegians Chairman, Trevor Lennon said, ‘Having found ourselves without a 'home base' last winter the opportunity to undertake the 'Emerging' Accreditation Scheme came at a perfect time for us. It has helped us to re-evaluate and refocus who we are as a club and where we want to go and, at the same time, put correct structures, policies and systems in place. In doing so, it has re-energised our committee and demonstrated to us the importance of collective responsibly. We are extremely proud to have achieved this.’

My commiserations to Carrickfergus 2nds on the losing of the Cup Final due to a player iregularity therfore handing the Cup to Donacloney Mill 2nds, a hard pill to swallow. 2 good sides in the region and praise to both on how the situation was handled.

Also does anyone know when the Ladies Cup Final between Lurgan and North Down will be played and looking at Ladies Lge Div 1 Armagh still has not played a match will they or have they withdrawn thanks

Response

Ed...Very cautious Keith!You sound like a Bookie!

C Boomer

gives it dryish tomorrow ..

18th Aug 2017

There's an odd ground here where the trees or foliage overhang the boundary, Lurgan Park an example, though none comparable to Kent C.C. and their ground St. Lawrence. As there until recently, a two hundred year old lime tree grew in which the playing are was originally built around.

It has since in recent times been removed as it developed 'heart rot' a fungal disease that caused it eventual demise, point is though, they never cut it down or attempted to remove it in all that time previous!

I wonder why not?

The Fairy Tree

Alone it stood in midst of fieldlegend goes, since days of yore,a hawthorne tree, where fairies,dance in symphony, according to local folklore

But there came a day, sad to saythe old Squire passed away,and with his demise, town council's advise, the tree must be go, it's in the way

As John DeLorean had factory plansto build upon the land,but against such folly, O' by gollyin life, the Squire had fought,to stall and scupper his master plan

The wheels of industry plundered onas is oft the case,and heavy plant, did supplant the airy fairy's hawthorne tree,despatched without trace

But what Mr DeLorean didn't knowunlike the Squire himself,bad luck for life, trouble and strife to uproot the Fairy's sacred tree,and so they summoned up a vengeful elf

Who cast a nasty spell upon tycoon and cartheir future it went back,no hurry in Dunmurry, ten years passedbefore production, aoon bankruptcy and later arrest for trafficking 'crack'

So, if e'er you come across the hawthorne be mindful of its mystical aura,cut yourself a stick, careful, don't get a prickthen please, leave well alone,for it is sacrosanct and sacred to fauna and flora!

http://www.yourirish.com/folklore/irish-fairy-trees

Nile Smith

East Belfast

18th Aug 2017

Interested to see that a premier league club has announced recruitment of a player and that it will provide a "hugh moral boost to the club"!

Clarence Hiles

Headquarters

17th Aug 2017

Let's limit the damage to a Whistle Blower! We know what is fair and not fair and Donaghcloney Mill has already said it has little merit in the circumstances as Carrick won in a fair and sporting game. Why don't they return the trophy to Carrick and shame the whistle blower? OK, rules are there, but in this instance they are pedantic and serve to real purpose. There have been similar examples in the past, but each has to be carefully assessed. The NCU rules make this difficult, but it is not impossible if all the parties agree.

Richard White

NCU Headquarters

16th Aug 2017

Northern Cricket Union 2017 - Minor (Lindsay) Cup FinalThe NCU Minor (Lindsay) Cup Final, sponsored by Cleaver Black, takes place between Muckamore Fourths and Laurelvale Seconds, at Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, Woodvale Cricket Club, on Saturday 19th August (12 noon start). This competition is open to teams playing in Junior Leagues 4, 5 and 6 of the Northern Cricket Union.Philip Black of the cup sponsors said, ‘Cleaver Black are delighted to be involved with this cup, and wish both sides every success in the Final.’The trophy and ‘Man of the Match’ award will be presented by a Northern Cricket Union official and the sponsor at the conclusion of the game.The Road to the Minor (Lindsay) Cup FinalMuckamore Fourths, of Junior League 5, had comprehensive victories in the first two rounds of the competition, defeating Lurgan Seconds by 8 wickets and Ballymena Thirds by 9 wickets. In the Third Round Muckamore overcame Instonians Fourth's, before a tense three run victory against North Down Thirds in the semi-final.After receiving a bye in the First Round Laurelvale Seconds, of Junior League 4, progressed to the final losing only four wickets. They defeated Derriaghy Thirds by 8 wickets in the Second Round, Newforge Seconds by 10 wickets in the Third Round, and Cliftonville Seconds by 8 wickets in the semi-final.Supporters from the participating clubs, and all other cricket followers from across the Northern Cricket Union and beyond will be warmly welcomed to Woodvale Cricket Club.

Richard White

NCU Headquarters

16th Aug 2017

Northern Cricket Union 2017 - Minor Qualifying Cup FinalThe NCU Minor Qualifying Cup Final takes place between Donaghcloney Mill Thirds and Laurelvale Thirds, at Laurelvale Cricket Club, on Saturday 19th August (12 noon start). This competition is open to teams playing in Junior Leagues 7 and 8 of the Northern Cricket Union.The trophy and ‘Man of the Match’ award will be presented by a Northern Cricket Union official at the conclusion of the game.The Road to the Minor Qualifying Cup FinalBoth teams received byes in the first round of the competition.Donaghcloney Mill, of Junior League 7, defeated Saintfield Thirds by 9 wickets in the Second Round, and received a walkover against Ards Seconds in the Third Round. A convincing 60 run win over Lisburn Fourths followed in the semi-final.Laurelvale Thirds, of Junior League 7, defeated Instonians Fifth's by 15 runs in the Second Round, followed by comprehensive victories over North Down Fourths (by 10 wickets), and CIYMS Fifth's (by 9 wickets).Supporters from the participating clubs, and all other cricket followers from across the Northern Cricket Union and beyond will be warmly welcomed to Laurelvale Cricket Club.

Keith Montague

Clogherhead Co Louth

15th Aug 2017

So I got the North Down result wrong but knew that Waringstown would win the day. Looking at the 2 semi-finals this Sunday it looks like Waringstown and Clontarf will contest the Final as you just dont know what Bready will turn up and Cork County dominate Munster but a whole differant story outside of Munster.

PS thanks to Mr C Boomer on his comments, my mam read the comment and said not to give me a bigger head than it is. Will post my tips for Satuday soon

Andy Kennedy

Buckna

15th Aug 2017

I accept entirely that the rule was contravened. I also remember a similar situation at Derriaghy a few seasons ago that led to relegation.

Response

Ed...There has to be a better system to avoid this.

Roger Bell

Home

15th Aug 2017

Andy, as NCU Cup Secretary I can confirm that the player in question had not appeared in any previous rounds of the competition.

Andy Kennedy

Buckna

14th Aug 2017

The recent social media snow storm over 'that' cup final raises one question in my mind. If this young player had played in any of the previous rounds of the competition why was the validity of his registration not pick up by those responsible for the checking of same?

Response

Ed...Perhaps Andy, but the club has the ultimate responsibility to register as per the rules. Dare I recall the "Connellgate" incident in 2006 where the registration was 'uncovered' many months after the event and North Down were deprived of the Senior League championship. Like this incident it was a trivial ruling, but everyone was bound by the rules. Personally I feel the registration should be accpepted in 3 days with a formal acceptance from the League Secretary up until 1 July after which no clubs can be registered for that season. Everyone knows what is fair and not fair so both clubs have been the victims of rules. Some people feel the NCU rules are outdated and need to be re-written. Perhaps they are right!

Alan

Chambers park

13th Aug 2017

Taverners V Grasshoppers.Grasshoppers win by some runs.Another fantastic day of cricket at Chambers park. Great game, played in the best spirit, and the famous Chef Karim curry was of course as usual - perfect.